It has become commonplace to hear people playing music aloud from their phones without headphones, and just as common to hear complaints about this behavior.
Some interpret this loud playing as confrontational, suggesting that those who blast music from their devices are inviting conflict, daring others to respond. Indeed, some individuals do appear hostile or unapproachable, reminiscent of a past era when people carried boomboxes on the streets and in subway cars, turning up the volume as a form of assertion.
Sociologist Elijah Anderson examined this phenomenon in his book “Streetwise,” describing how such individuals use loud music to declare their presence and claim their territory. For many, this is one of the few ways to assert themselves and gain respect in their environment.
While Anderson viewed these men as complex antiheroes, many perceived them simply as nuisances. Today, similar sentiments arise about people who play music, sports clips, or TikTok videos aloud in public spaces, especially in confined areas like restaurants or public transit.
Initially, I shared this negative view, but over time I have come to understand that, at least with music, the issue reflects the challenges of cultural diversity in a bustling metropolis.
I recall knowing someone approaching 30 who was surprised to learn not everyone shares their musical tastes. Having mostly interacted with people of similar preferences, they assumed their favorite music was universally enjoyed.
This mindset likely explains why many feel comfortable playing their phones loudly in public. Growing up surrounded by like-minded listeners, they may genuinely believe they are sharing music that everyone will appreciate.
An incident in my neighborhood illustrated this for me. Walking down a quiet street, a car passed by with windows down, blasting Latin hip-hop with bass so strong it was physically noticeable. Though I generally viewed such noise as inconsiderate, my perspective shifted when I saw the driver was my trusted local barber, a peaceful family man with no intent to disturb others. For him, sharing this music was an expression of joy, reflecting a common assumption that genres like hip-hop or merengue appeal broadly today.
While some prefer controlling when and how loud they listen to music, this is not a universal attitude. Journalist Xochitl Gonzalez connects New Yorkers’ tolerance for city noise with class, describing how for those with fewer resources, summer means open windows and a city soundtrack of constant activity: motorcycles, buses, arguments, children playing, and unending music. A heated exchange I witnessed ended with a young Latina woman asserting, “New York is all about noise!”
This perspective contrasts with my own preferences for tranquility and softer sounds, such as the calmness of greenery or the muted tones of an armchair. Yet I recognize these tastes are personal and culturally specific, much like the classical concert etiquette that discourages clapping between movements — a rule that would have puzzled composers like Mozart.
Recently, I experienced the violinist Kelly Hall-Tompkins performing Wynton Marsalis’s Violin Concerto in D, a masterpiece that made restraining applause between movements feel unnatural. I suspect many would find the idea of keeping music private equally restrictive, as if silencing an exhilarating performance.
These days, I try to accept New Yorkers’ normal volume levels, understanding that the noise is unlikely to subside and usually does not stem from ill intent. For example, on a recent subway ride, a fellow passenger seemed convinced that everyone wanted to hear Toto’s “Africa” as their soundtrack, and I found myself nearly unbothered.
Personally, I would have preferred the art song cycle “New York Pretending to Be Paris: Songs of Remembrance and Desire” by composer Eric Schorr. With its lush arrangements for a 19-piece ensemble and poetry by Cynthia Zarin and Thomas March, it evokes Ravel while maintaining a distinct contemporary voice. Though unlikely to be played loudly on a subway phone, it is well worth enjoying in the comfort of one’s home.
